Programs

For additional information on any of our programs and services, please contact the Epilepsy Foundation at (800) 693-2287 or email info@epilepsywisconsin.org

ADULT RETREAT: In late summer the Epilepsy Foundation sponsors a 3-day, 2-night retreat at Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt, Wisconsin. Activities such as hiking, boating, swimming, camp fire, wagon rides, crafts, volleyball, archery and fishing are available throughout the weekend. Small discussion groups and informative programs are also offered to the participants. This retreat is designed for adults with epilepsy who are able to live independently. Ages 18+.

CAMP PHOENIX: Camp Phoenix provides a fun, safe, residential camping experience for children ages eight to seventeen with a primary diagnosis of epilepsy. The weeklong residential camp is conducted at the Wisconsin Lions Camp located in Rosholt, Wisconsin. The camp experience is designed to encourage independence and self-esteem, and to provide children with an increased understanding of seizures and epilepsy. During the week, campers participate in a variety of activities, build new and lasting relationships, and meet others who may have seizure disorders. Children are encouraged to fully participate in all the camp activities. Specially trained epilepsy counselors are present to facilitate small group activities or one on one discussion. Camp scholarships are available. Call for information on dates and cost.

CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS: These presentations can be tailored to meet the needs of the audience, the age of the students involved, and the length of the class period. A general information program is followed by a short video, and is concluded with a question and answer period. These presentations can do much to ease the fears, misinformation, and intolerance that students may have towards children in their school who have a seizure disorder. Most appropriate for grades three through high school.

DODGE COUNTY LIFESPAN RESPITE NETWORK: The Lifespan Respite Network is a non-profit organization and a program of the Epilepsy Foundation Heart of Wisconsin. DCLRN provides families and caregivers with relief from the ongoing demands of providing care for their loved ones with special needs. Respite care is proven to reduce stress in families, prevent costly out-of-home placements, and help prevent child/elder abuse and neglect. Respite care also serves to enhance the families coping abilities, increase caregiver physical and mental well-being, and provide the caregiver with an opportunity for social activities and community involvement.

EPILEPSY BEREAVMENT PROGRAM: A support program for individuals and families that have lost a friend or loved one, directly or indirectly due to a seizure or epilepsy.

EPILEPSY EDUCATIONAL UPDATES: This is a series of educational dinner meetings throughout Wisconsin. Taking place in rural communities, health care professionals provide presentations on topics related to epilepsy and healthcare. The goals of these presentations are to increase the knowledge about epilepsy, improve the ability of patients to communicate effectively with healthcare providers, and to provide epilepsy self-management training and knowledge of community resources. These programs also provide excellent and affordable training for social workers, job coaches or direct care workers who have clients with epilepsy.

FUNDRAISING: Our main annual fund raising events are Bowl 1000 for Epilepsy, held in the spring in Madison, Janesville, and Racine/Kenosha; a Stroll for Epilepsy, held throughout the year in Appleton, Janesville, and Wausau; and An Evening of Chocolate Decadence, held in February in Stevens Point.

FAMILIAS UNIDAS con NIŅOS con NECESIDADES ESPECIALES (FUNNE): A Spanish-language education and support group for families of children with developmental disabilities and limitations in life. Call for more information.

KIDS SPEAK UP!: A program that allows young people between the ages of 7 – 16, and their families, to visit Washington DC to meet with their legislators as advocates for people with epilepsy. This program stresses the need for public awareness, acceptance and the search for a cure. It offers a unique opportunity to draw lawmakers’ attention to epilepsy and increase public awareness of its challenges. This is held in conjunction with the Epilepsy Foundation’s annual Public Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

NEWSLETTERS: Epilepsy Update is our primary publication for adults. The Venturer is a newsletter that focuses on issues of interest to children and young people with seizure disorders. PosSIBilities, also a newsletter, is for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities of any type. Subscriptions to any of these newsletters may be requested free of charge.

PACE - PARENT AND CAREGIVER EDUCATION: PACE is a support program for parents and other adults, including professionals, involved in caring for children with any type of disability or limitation. Meetings have an educational focus on topics of general interest and generally feature a speaker. Call for more information.

PATIENT RESOURCE CENTER: Books, videos, photocopied materials and brochures are available, to borrow or purchase, on the topic of epilepsy and related issues. We can help you find specific information on employment, medications, safety and first aid, epilepsy in children or the elderly, school issues, surgery, insurance, women’s health and many other areas of interest.

POP NIGHTS: Popcorn, soda-pop, a popular movie wth pizza! Four fun Friday nights every year for teens and ‘tweens. Children with disabilities, their brothers and sisters, and any interested friends are welcome.

PROFESSIONAL INSERVICE TRAINING: A member of our staff will be pleased to come into your school or place of employment and present a program suited to your specific need or situation. A general information program on epilepsy, seizure types, appropriate first aid and educational and social concerns is presented along with a professionally produced short video that shows actual film footage of seizures and offers information and tips to the viewers. We have several videos and will choose the one most appropriate to the audience. These in-service presentations are well received by teachers and staff members as well as bus drivers, lunchroom personnel, teacher aids, etc. Presentations can be done at your convenience during the school day or in the afternoon or evening hours and can accommodate time frames of 30 minutes to two hours. A panel made up of individuals with various experiences with epilepsy is also a possibility.

SIBLINGS DAY: This program is designed especially for brothers and sisters of children with epilepsy or other disabilities. This daylong Saturday event is held in early spring and is cosponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation, The Arc – Dane County, and the UW Waisman Center. Games, discussion, arts and crafts, and physical activities are included along with lunch and snacks. The day ends with a pizza party for the family. For school age children, grades K – 12.

SOCIAL CLUB: We have an active social calendar that offers activities that are safe and accessible for everyone. Picnics, adult retreats, bowling, pontoon boat rides, and many other activities provide recreation and the chance to get together with old and new friends. In early spring we host our annual Dinner and Dance. This is a wonderful evening filled with great music and a delicious buffet dinner. Other human service organizations are invited to participate in this event and the turnout has been fantastic. The building is accessible to everyone.

SUPPORT GROUPS: Support groups for individuals affected by seizures and epilepsy are offered at several locations. All meetings are "drop-in" and informal; everyone is welcome. Dates and times may vary depending upon location. Check our "Support Groups" page under "How We Can Help" or call the Epilepsy Foundation Heart of Wisconsin at (800) 693-2287.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: Work that can be done by individuals wishing to volunteer at our office, at home, or at other locations throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities vary but may include folding, labeling, filing, shredding, making phone calls, youth activities, helping at health fairs, and public speaking. We have an ongoing need for a volunteer sign language interpreter, for people interested in puppetry (for our Kids on the Block puppet program), and for membership to our Board of Directors.

YOUTH COUNCIL: The Youth Council is comprised of young adults, ages 17 to 25. Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the epilepsy movement. Members serveas ambassadors and public spokespersons for our Mission, represent people with epilepsy at state and national advocacy events, and meet with community leaders at the local level.